So there was some that are or were having a bit of trouble understanding the block, so here is some things to help with it, I did two versions of it, and then I did a slight variation for those that have trouble with that one piece,

So here we go!

Start by cutting out all of the pieces,

Lt:* 8 2 1/2 " SQR (I used blue)
2 2 7/8 " cut to HST
1 5 1/4 " cut to QST

Focus fabric 1 4 1/2 " SQR ( dark sunflower fabric)
2 4 7/8 " cut to HST ( I changed this fabric to the second sunflower print)

Med to DK 1 5 1/4 cut to QST (I used orange)

Med to LT ** 4 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 rectangle (speckled green)
or cut the stipe 2 1/2 inches wide and then at the 4 7/8's cut a 45 degree angle back.

Med to LT 2 2 7/8" cut to HST (other green)


* Are cut differently for the variation, and there is a slight change for a slightly different way to do the same piece,

*if you would like to instead of 4 of the blocks, cut 2 2 7/8 " sqr and cut into HST

* for the variation

cut 4 2 1/2" sqrs
2 2 7/8 " sqr and cut into HST.

** cut 4 2 1/2 " sqr
2 2 7/8" sqr into HST

I hope to be able to explain it better as I go along, I hope that it is a tiny bit clearer than mud when I am done,

So let me see if I can keep this straight anyway, we will see, if there is any questions feel free to ask them.

We are going to start with the trouble piece and get it out of the way, at least I hope so, line up the rectangle with one of the squares like this, and you can draw a diagonal line from one corner of the square to the other, make sure you get it going in the right direction or it will be backwards, which isn't a problem if you put some of the other pieces backwards as well, and when that is done, cut a 1/4 inch from the seam and press, ( I will leave you to decide what way you are pressing I pressed to one side, )

So I am going to show you a little different way to go about this,
If you cut the HST instead of the triangles out for the end piece it goes something like this, line it up and stitch a 1/4 inch from the edge of the blue fabric.

And if you cut the one piece (it was hard to explain, I hope the picture helps) and the HST instead of the square, then it will look like this and you sew 1/4 in from the angled edge and no need to trim,

so then just press them open and you have the same piece just done differently.

opps wrong picture, oh well, it all sort of looks the same, so on with the variation, so we have a few more pieces and another seam, take the green HST that we cut specifically for it and sew it along with a blue one and make a square, Press them open, on the green end sew the green square to it and you will get a piece that looks almost identical to the one we were just doing,

So now that that is taken care of, lets move on, from here on out it should be smooth sailing, at least I hope so, when i did the blocks (I did two ) I have one of the pieces in wrong and had to take it out and redo it, as you will be able to see later on as I will post a picture, I took it before realizing it and found it when I saw the pictures on the computer,

So we are going to work on the piece that is right next to the one that we just did, when I do them I piece the them all together sort of but for this I am seperating them, I hope that I don't confuse anyone with my rambling,

Take the LT color (blue) HST and the one that matches it, they were cut 2 7/8 and sew them into a square and press open

add the square on the end of it making sure that you have it set the right way, the green should be against the blue square.

Awesome tute cutebuns :D:D:D

And then we press and add them to the previous block, and this is what we get, 4 of the 9 blocks that makes up this square.

as you can see it is important to make sure that your points are in the right place,

Moving right along we will be working with the blue triangle that is left and the one that is the same size, I chose orange for it, so we sew the two together but we are not I repeat not making a square this time, make sure that you are going down the short side and not the long side, and it goes like this, yet again watch the color placement, you don't want the orange to end up on the outside. Press

So then we take the last triangle that is on the pile and match it with the one that we just did and this time we do make a square and sew the long side, we open and press again, making the next 4 of the squares, the last one we cut it our whole,

So now we are ready to lay it out, I like to do this, it helps keep the pieces straight, (I still managed to mess one up)

Make three strips and then put the strips together, and press when required.

And so than we are done our sunflower block. I hope this has helped in some small way.


I am also going to retake the picture of the original now that it is fixed.

so here is the original! all done,

cutebuns,
Thank you for this great tutorial!! :thumbup: I am just sure that it will help many of our quilters, wanting to make this Sunflower Block. We appreciate the time it took you to put this together!!
:D :D :D :D

THANK You for your time in putting this together. :-D

You are both welcome. I was happy to be able to do it in such a timely fashion. I hope it helps others to do the block. It was a fun on to do. I can't wait to see all the other blocks!

Nice job cute. It looks real happy!

I finished my second one today half the work it took the first round as I just didn't .. get it? today it was like a slap upside the head. DUH.. and now the great tutorials. I hope this helps everyone else and I didn't scare them with the OMG this is so hard comments I made. I was in a brain cramp yesterday and thankfully a good nights rest and I am good to go. I posted under BOM my new results. Much much better. Your very sweet to do this. I hope everyone does this with their pic of the month so its a breeze for all playing.

CB - thanks for the tutorial. I am sooooo looking forward to starting mine tomorrow and you have definitely helped me :) This block is so pretty.

If I do next months block I don't mind doing it again. I have done random blocks if I found out that someone was having trouble with. So in feb make sure that I am paying attention!

Well done! <wave>

Where might I find this BOM carnival going on? It is sort of just a "keep your interest" thing, right? or a swap?

They have a whole section on it and it has been going on for a while. You just to the main page and head down until you see it. At the end I think that you heve enough for a lap. But not sure. This is the first time I have participated in it.

Well, it looks like you did a great job showing alternative ways to put pieces together. Good job! <wave>

Thank you. The one piece I saw as a problem spot. So gave alternative as well as the variation. Some days it is a curse to be able to see several ways to do it. More decisions than just color etc. Let's hope that lots of people get the block done whether they use the tute or not.

Hey! I just bought a magazine that showed six different ways to cut HST ... different techniques work for different people -- and you might have a book in the deal! <g>

So why do they all have to work for me and why do I need to know all of them? (I am sure that there are a few that I haven't come up with or read about)

intellectual curiosity ... that would account for your needing to know all of them. There was at least one technique that would give you quarter square triangles that you didn't mention, but I didn't want to mess up what you were doing, so I just kept quiet like a mouse <g>

You are now going to have to spill as now I am curious!

I do not know the size of the square (off the top of my head, but - - here goes!)
I typed it all out and I am not figuring something right.
I have to head off to workday at the Post, and will make this technique the tip of the day there! And, return with pictures <g> unless, I can walk in and find the book that I found it in :?

I will be anxiuosly waiting!

Okay ... thank you to Eleanor Burns, since she is the only one I have found that does this so far - - From her book "Still Stripping after 25 years" (imagine hubby's face when he saw the spine of that book! - - I think he thought I was considering a new occupation! LOL)
Okay ... acknowledgements aside.
I will still back this up with pictures from Workday this evening, but I will talk you through it so you can ponder.
This will yield FOUR quarter square triangles.
Place contrasting fabrics right sides together (for practice 6.5" squares) ALWAYS keep the DARK fabric on top.
Draw two diagonal lines (from corner to corner)
Sew 1/4 inch seam down the left side of one diagonal line
STOP at the center point, pivot fabric and sew on center line until your needle is 1/4 inch past the center seam, turn fabric so that you will be sewing on the RIGHT side of the drawn line.
Repeat all of that on the SECOND diagonal line.
Cut apart on the drawn line.
VIOLA! rather than HST, you have just sewn the first half of (now I don't remember which part of your block it was :oops:
the quarter square triangle that you used in that part ... sew onto the rectangle like you did, with a little less hassle, I think.

it goes to the part of the block that is orange and blue with the Yellow triangle.
I'm not sure, but I will mess with this technique also, but if you only sew the first diagonal and cut apart, then put the resulting square together with the yellow ... do both diagonals you should end up with exactly the block you were going for ...
but don't quote me on that, I will have to work on it at the post. (unless I happen to find it before I leave <g>)

That makes sense to me. How many different ways do you think that we could come up with to do the hst and qst?

okay, whip me with a wet noodle.
Would you believe I actually PACKED the book away that had all these neat techniques????
I must be !!!!!!!!!!!!!
I thought I would remember it!
*Debating about opening the box up so I can get that out*
BREAK TIME!!

HST at least! six. (according to that magazine I bought. Now to go see if I sent it out in one of the swaps!) I mean ... why keep reference stuff around when you have Eleanor Burns and Cutie????
of course ... if one is dumb enough (or crazy) to pack up a reference book before one has shared it with Cutie ... we may have to take her keys away from her! LOL

We just may have to take your keys. But not before you take me fabric shopping!

Okay! Now to "Stars Across America" The Clara Barton Star.

Can't do it without pictures, but basically it is orange and blue HSTn(2) ... laid on full square of yellow (2) ... sew on both sides of diagonal line, cut apart and VIOLA! Four yellow half square with a quarter square part.

Now to go to workday and get you some pictures!
Thank you Eleanor Burns.